Sandro Reyes admits the work simply acquired harder for the Philippines. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PFF
If there’s one optimistic factor Sandro Reyes and the Philippine males’s soccer group took after one other irritating draw within the Asean Mitsubishi Electrical Cup is that attending to the semifinals stays a risk.
Reyes voiced his optimism even after the nation’s possibilities acquired slimmer after Sunday’s 1-1 tie on the street in opposition to Laos and with Group B chief and title contender Vietnam set to invade Rizal Memorial Stadium and supply an enormous midweek problem for the Filipino squad.
Article continues after this commercial
“Very tough, however we’re nonetheless alive,” Reyes mentioned after his aim within the 77th minute rescued the Philippines from defeat at Vientiane’s New Laos Nationwide Stadium.
Wednesday’s matchup can be a take a look at of character for coach Albert Capellas’ aspect as Vietnam will are available in favored to safe a 3rd win in a row and safe the primary spot within the semifinals of the distinguished competitors.
Essential fixtures
Vietnam grabbed the group lead from Indonesia in Sunday’s different match, claiming a 1-0 win in entrance of its house supporters in Viet Tri Metropolis.
Article continues after this commercial
“It was not a very good recreation for us [against Laos] and we made one step backwards,” Capellas mentioned. “Now we have now to play in opposition to Vietnam at house and lift our stage if we need to qualify.”
Elevating their stage is unquestionably a should not just for the Vietnam tussle but additionally in Saturday’s last group match on the street in opposition to Indonesia. Not less than one win in these essential fixtures may very well be sufficient, relying on the end result of the opposite video games, to safe a primary semifinal berth since 2018.
Vietnam leads Group B with six factors in two video games, two away from Indonesia which now has three matches. The Philippines have two factors after its two attracts, similar with Laos, after three matches whereas Myanmar has produced only one level in two video games.
Reyes’ aim, the second of his profession for flag and nation, made up for the massive blunder: an personal aim by Michael Baldisimo within the first half that nearly price the Philippines.
Baldisimo was trying to clear the ball off a Laotian nook, however his header went to his group’s personal web as an alternative, a lot to the shock of the Philippine aspect in Vientiane and to followers again house principally tuned in on-line.
Makes an attempt by Bjorn Kristensen and Baldisimo earlier than halftime nearly cancelled that howler, and the Philippines spent many of the second half looking for a aim which ultimately got here courtesy of Reyes’ left-footed shot.
Reyes additionally arrange Alex Monis for what appeared to be a 2-1 lead shortly after his equalizer, just for the linesman to lift his flag as Monis was dominated offside. INQ
